Smoky Quartz - Positive EnergySmoky quartz is one of my favorite crystals. I often use in when I am trying to bring positive energy or change the energy flow from negative to positive. This is a stone that is excellent for grounding and centering and for amplifying first chakra energy. It can protect you from negative energy and transmute it to positive. This works for people - and also for locations. For example, if you've had a high-impact negative event occur in your home, you can sprinkle smoky quartz pieces around to change that negative energy to positive. If you have an excessively negative co-worker, place a piece between you and that person to turn that frown upside down. If you have a smoky quartz point, then place the wide end (non-pointed) at the place where you want the energy to be absorbed (so towards the place of negativity), and put the point pointing towards where you'd like the positive energy to flow.

Citrine - ProsperityLooking for a little help in the prosperity department? Then citrine is your stone. This golden stone is widely known as the prosperity and abundance stone. Put a piece in your cashbox or wallet. You can also place a piece in the prosperity corner of your home, which is the back left corner of the house as you enter through the front door. Citrine can also enhance self-image and can strengthen your solar plexus chakra.

Apache Tears - GriefApache tears, which are rounded pieces of obsidian, are a crystal that can help you with grief and sadness. They can also aid in the process of forgiveness and letting go. This is actually one crystal I carry with me in bulk to give to people, particularly when I am doing readings with them. Carry a piece with you in your pocket, meditate with the stones, sleep with them next to your bed or under your pillow. You can even hold them in your hand and use them as a worry stone when you feel sadness or grief overwhelming you.

want to take a moment to clarify here, because I feel it is important. I don't believe you should suppress grief - and using apache tears won't suppress it. But it can help you move through it in a healthy way. Grieving (and other negative emotions) aren't "bad." They are an essential piece of life - part of the balance and duality we experience when our souls are embodied that help us experience wholeness and completeness as human beings. The problem arises when we get stuck in those negative emotions (often from trying to suppress them or judging ourselves for having them) instead of allowing them to express fully as they move through us. So apache tears are a facilitator to help us process the emotions as we experience them. They won't make you stop being sad. But they will help you move through it in a healthy and complete way.

Peridot - ManifestationPeridot is the August birthstone. It is also a gemstone of manifesting. Therefore, this is an excellent gemstone to work with during affirmations and visualization - just hold it in your hand as you speak your affirmations or visualize. It can also help you overcome negative emotions towards others like jealousy (or protect you from their negative emotions. Keep a piece in your pocket if you feel like someone else's jealousy, anger, or negativity is affecting you in a negative way. I wear a peridot ring to keep others' negative emotions at bay.

Amethyst - Sleep IssuesIf you struggle with insomnia or experiencing a restful night of sleep, then amethyst can help. This purple crystal is helpful for people with sleep difficulties - put a piece under your pillow or place it on your bedside table. It can also help you with remembering your dreams and encourage lucid dreaming.

Blue Calcite - AnxietyFeeling anxious or stressed? Having heart palpitations? Prone to panic attacks? Blue calcite can be your go-to crystal. It has a lovely, waxy finish that is not only pretty but also works well as a worry stone, and the color and vibe of this crystal is incredibly calming. If you have a high-stress job, keep hunk of blue calcite on your desk at work. Anxious driver? Keep some in your car. If you have generalized anxiety, carry some in your pocket, or even wear it around your neck to help you stay calm. When you feel your anxiety flare, hold the stone in your hand, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Unless you're driving. Then, eyes open!

Baltic Amber - HappinessBaltic amber is one of my favorite crystals (though not technically a crystal). It's a warm, happy stone that can improve mood and bring some sunshine into your day. It always lifts my mood. It's also anti-inflammatory and can help with pain. Babies sometimes wear teething necklaces around their necks made from Baltic amber - because it can dull the pain associated with teething. If you have arthritis, particularly in your hands, arms, or wrists, try wearing a Baltic amber bracelet or ring.

Choosing a CrystalHow do you choose the best crystal? Sometimes it chooses you! If you're drawn to a crystal, then chances are it is one that will be beneficial for you. You can also choose crystals by holding them and see which have the best feel for you.

Cleansing and ChargingI want to mention how important it is to cleanse your crystals. Cleanse your crystals when you first bring them home because they may contain energies from people who have touched them at the store, etc. You want to make them yours and compatible with your energy. You can also hold the cleansed crystals in your hands and set focused intention that they work for your greatest and highest good.Ways to cleanse your crystals:-Set the crystals out in moonlight overnight.-Put them in a bowl of sea salt for a few hours.-Use incense, sage, sweetgrass, or palo santo smoke to cleanse them.-If you do some form of energy healing, you can hold them in your hands and channel the energy into the crystal for a few minutes.-Reiki level 2 practitioners can use the Dumo symbol to create a perpetual cleansing in your crystals (this is my preferred method). -You can also set them on a quartz cluster or in the center of a quartz grid (with the points pointing at the crystals). -Cleanse crystals with sound, setting them in a singing bowl and ringing the bowl for a few minutes.Some people suggest saltwater for cleansing. I don't, because some crystals are very soft and the saltwater will damage them, so using any of the above water-free methods is a better choice to protect your stones.Cleanse crystals every week or so, depending on how much you use them.

Crystals are just one of many tools I recommend for transforming energy in your life. You'll notice I often recommend crystals in conjunction with essential oils and herbs, diet, movement, meditation, affirmation, visualization, energy healing techniques, and other components - like focus on the present, laughter, fun, and compassion for self and others to truly achieve balance in your life. Your body, mind, spirit, and emotions are communicating with you, telling you what you need. Your dreams, higher self, spirit guides, and and every other aspect of the Divine also combine to get your attention and help gently guide you along your life's path. The entire universe is conspiring in your favor (and yep - I know it often doesn't feel like that is true - but it is). Are you listening?